University of Southern Maine
School info
3
Overall Quality
Reputation
2.9
Food
2.6
Clubs
2.8
Facilities
2.8
Internet
3.6
Location
3.5
Opportunities
3
Safety
3.5
Social
2.7
Happiness
3
Basic Information
Location
- Portland, ME
Institution Overview
- Public/Private: Public university
- Established: 1878; 146 years ago (1878)
- Founder: Gorham Normal School, Portland University
Academic information
Degree Courses
- Nearly 300
Key Area
- Nursing
- Public Health
- Food Studies
- Cybersecurity
- Regulatory Ethics
Student and Staff Numbers
- Students: 7,996 (2021)
- Undergraduates: 5,956 (2021)
- Postgraduates: 1,778 (2021)
Notable Alumni
- Tony Shalhoub
- John Currier
- Kate Chappell
- Lois Lowry
- Chellie Pingree
10 FAQs about this University from
Reddit
Students talk about this school
Good reviews
Overall 4.8
Absolutely great school! I transferred from two Maine community colleges and this university is 100x better. The professors and advisors are helpful, kind, understanding. Located in a great area in Portland. The work load isn't much at all; I can actually read the text and stay involved in class from not being overwhelmed from assignments.
Overall 4.3
Portland is getting better by the minute. New dorms, & Student Center are opening now, & a new Arts building is in the works. I have had outstanding professors, better than the Grad Students teaching at a top-tier school I attended. It is a teaching school so they care about you and want you to learn. And you absolutely cannot beat the price.
Overall 4.3
USM is a wonderful school. The negative reviews are probably from young, bratty, entitled kids. This is a great school for real people. The faculty wants you to succeed--they care. They understand that most students are working and living life, and can be generous in-turn . They'll also go out of their way to help, you just have to ask for it!
Overall 4.3
USM is an amazing little school where the community feels close-knit and 9/10 facultyand staff members care about students A LOT and willgo above and beyond to help and support students in whatever way they can.
Overall 4.3
I am very happy with my decision to attend USM!
Overall 4.2
I transferred here from a private college and I am so much happier at USM
Overall 4.2
University of Southern Maine is a severely underrated school in my book. I've had many great professors here, there's a great atmosphere for those who live on campus or commute. Tons of extracurricular activities, veteran friendly. Highly accredited school you probably won't find better unless you travel to Boston. Overall a 10/10 at the price.
Overall 4.2
It's an alright place to get a degree. Food could leave something to be desired. have had some fantastic professors and some that I'm surprised they were able to even pass high school.
Overall 4.1
Professors are great, and most are working very hard on behalf of the students. The new President is always looking for ways to improve the University. Nice to see reciprocity with Iceland and so many opportunities abroad. There are always job fairs and networking events. I'm satisfied with the price point and quality of my education so far!
Bad reviews
Overall 1
The "Student Success Center" placed me in Production Management; I was an aspiring mathematician. I got a D-.
Overall 1
The math department has failed as a place to become a mathematician. The advising appointments that are supposed to help you towards your goals don't even happen.
Overall 1
The catalog guarantees departmental support for all students. I didn't receive any departmental support over my first 2 years. In fact, I stopped showing up to the useless advisor meetings.
Overall 1.1
Forget about having courses to take that you actually need. If you are a computer science major, you have very limited courses. You can only take specific courses during fall or spring, and no summer courses. Community colleges are better organized and have a better offerings.
Overall 1.2
About to graduate, worst 4 years of my life absolute waste of money
Overall 1.2
USM is CLEARLY uninterested in providing the services & opportunities that students need, seen by budget cuts to essential departments. The school is not so subtly transitioning to online only classes taught by professors from OTHER colleges. Youd be better off going to the University of Phoenix, at least they dont pretend to be reputable.
Overall 1.5
I transferred here after 2 years of community college. Please tell me why I was so much happier and more impressed by my quality of education at a small community college? USM was a total letdown, I'm so flabbergasted by the lack of quality in the faculty that I left after one semester. Not to mention the generally dissatisfying campus & foul food.
Overall 1.5
Transferred after 1 semester, worst college I've ever heard of and no one seems to care to help you. Stay away from this campus!
Overall 1.7
There is a reason tuition is cheaper than most schools. You'll be better off watching Stanford's lectures they post on their Youtube Channel. Most teachers here are incompetent. You will have a degree but not know anything. No social life here either, there are barely any clubs. Avoid at all costs.
Overall 1.8
Clubs are unpopular, lack of opportunities, commuter based, lack of care, and terrible professors. That should basically describe what this school is. Don’t come here if you plan to live on campus, it’s terrible. They also been cutting budgets for programs and have been through many presidents in the last 5 years. Incredibly disorganized.